Aire Valley Homes have set up an agreement with Mediation Leeds to help with resolving neighbour disputes. Mediation is one of the options that can most favourably be used at the early stages of a dispute - it provides a cost-effective, quick process that empowers each of the parties to take on responsibility for the issues they face and to find a way forward together.
What's the use of Mediation?
Take one case in Leeds:
Involves one single parent family [1 high school child/1 primary school child] with large guard dog; another family [both parents with 1 grown offspring still at home]. The second family own a small dog.
Multiple issues: allegations of theft, threats, abusive language, damage to property, racism, rubbish in gardens, fencing, pets…
Other agencies involved: Planning Department, Citizens Advice Bureau
Party One had erected high fence panels around their property and had installed CCTV cameras to provide the family with privacy and security - the latter reinforced by a large dog. The head of the household felt the family was a target for racist attacks, hence the attempted burglary, missing plants and holes mysteriously appearing in the garden. This family were feeling intimidated and unwelcome in their neighbourhood - although it is important to note that they didn't blame their neighbours for everything.
Party Two was annoyed by the appearance of the fencing and felt the cameras were an infringement on their privacy. They felt the height of the fencing between the properties had blown down during recent storms, largely because it hadn't been installed correctly and resented allegations from Party One that they were responsible. P2 were also distressed by what they termed as 'bad smells' drifting over the fence due to dog foul not being cleared away. There was also some concern about damage to some fence panels at the rear of the property, allegedly caused by one dog responding to the other barking. This family claimed all these factors contributed to them no longer being able to enjoy the use of their sitting room or their garden.
Visits
Mediators visited each household to hear the individual stories of the difficulties that existed between them. There were tales of anger, resentment and blame but once everyone had been able to speak about their problems, there were also references to times when the relationship had been more neighbourly.
The mediators were then able to get the parties to think about how they would like things to be. Specifically, what things would make their lives more bearable, and more importantly, what could they all do to make this happen.
Checking
With confidentiality always a key consideration, the mediators checked which of the shared information they were allowed to pass between the neighbours and what was to remain unsaid. This enabled them to clarify some misunderstandings and encourage the parties to meet to discuss the situation further.
Meeting
The Mediators hired a room near to where the parties lived and greeted them as they arrived separately on the day of the Joint Meeting. Things felt fairly icy at first but as the mediators went through a few basic ground rules for the meeting, such as not interrupting when the other person is speaking, and listing the main issues the parties wanted to speak about, the atmosphere gradually warmed up.
2 hours later
Great sheets of flip chart paper were strewn across the table tops as the parties indicated what would suit them and what was not acceptable. There were a few stand offs, but everyone stuck in there, determined to find a way forward. Once the parties agreed on what they wanted, the mediators helped them look at how they would achieve it:
What materials will be used? Who will pay for the materials? Who will do the work? When will the work be completed? How will the fence be maintained?
The mediators didn't provide any of the answers. They just assisted a process where the parties were able to negotiate according to their available resources.
The Agreement
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Fence
One party agreed to pay for the materials, the other to help with the installation and maintenance.
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Unpleasant smells
Party one was suffering from ill health and hadn't been able to keep up with clearing up after the dog. However, both her children were old enough to help out and had agreed to take it in turns to keep the back yard fresh and clean.
WIN : WIN
Party 1 got to keep her fencing, but reducing in height as her garden rose up to meet the houses. Party 2 could now enjoy light in the living room and outdoor life in an odour free back garden. Both could enjoy the benefits of a restored neighbourly relationship brought about by working together toward agreement. They left together, riding home in the same car.
Like to try mediation?
For more information:
Please contact your housing officer at Aire Valley Homes on 0800 915 6660
Or visit us at www.mediationleeds.org.uk